Despite an 18-26 record, the Milwaukee Bucks are holding out hope for this season as they still have superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo on their team. 

The Bucks are three and a half games back of the Atlanta Hawks for the final play-in spot. With Giannis scheduled to miss at least a month with a right calf strain, the situation in Milwaukee, and the team making the playoffs, feels dire. 

Though the evidence is against them in trying to make a run at things, they are reportedly still looking for another star, though they are running into trouble. 

According to Marc Stein, the Bucks have looked at Michael Porter Jr of the Brooklyn Nets, Zach LaVine of the Sacramento Kings, De'Andre Hunter of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jerami Grant of the Portland Trail Blazers, and Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets as potential trade targets. 

Trying to find another running mate for Giannis is all well and good in theory, but to get, you have to give. The Bucks don't have a whole lot to give. 

Stein reports that there isn't much interest in Bobby Portis Jr or Kyle Kuzma, who the Bucks would likely need to send out in any trade to make the money work. 

Portis Jr. is owed $13.4 million this season, $14.5 million next season, and has a player option for $15.5 million in 2027-28. 

He is averaging 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 44 games this year. 

Kuzma's current deal pays him $22.4 million this season and $20.3 million next season before he becomes a free agent in the 2027 offseason. 

Acquired for Khris Middleton, Kuzma hasn't filled the need the Bucks were hoping as he's averaging a career low 12.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 42 games, while shooting 31% from three. 

The Bucks potentially owe their first-round picks to the Hawks (2026), Pelicans (2027), Blazers (2028), Blazers or Wizards (2029), and Blazers (2030), leaving them with only their 2031 or 2032 first-round picks to trade. 

Of all the names on the Bucks' target list, Michael Porter Jr could make an immediate impact as a go-to scorer and rebounder. He's enjoyed a career year in Brooklyn, scoring 24.9 points and grabbing 7.3 rebounds while shooting 38% from three on nearly 10 attempts per game. 

Everyone else on the target list has positives and negatives, but the big question in Milwaukee has to do with Giannis and his future. 

If he's not going to make it past the offseason in Milwaukee, is it worth giving up assets now to make a run at a lower seed and another potential first-round exit?

That's the question the Bucks need to figure out before the February 5th trade deadline.